Cuenca,
Ecuador
Friday, September 12, 2008
Its a 9 hour drive from Banos to Cuenca which lies at approx 2,500 meters above sea level. The scenery changes from lush green forest to cultivated land. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador but driving through its cobbled streets it has an instant charm. Mountain peaks surround the town and a river runs through the center next to one of the main street filled with bars and clubs. Our hostel, the Possada del Angel has hot showers, nice beds and large spaces filled with comfy sofas and a couple of old Internet computers. It also has WIFI...good enough to skype with. We search out the upmarket Cafe Eucalyptus for dinner....it Ash a band laying salsa music, the food is excellent but more pricey than we are used to but worth it. The next day we wander the cobbled streets see the Panama hat factory which is more like a workshop and sit in bars and cafes. IN the evening we try out a bar with gorgeous roof terrace overlooking the river...a young band play great Cuban music , we are greeted by friendly locals who offer Sven a drink. But as Ruthe evening goes on i begin to feel uncomfortable...there seem to Eb a lot of thick set middle aged men in light suits giving the place a Mafia feel to it. When i visit the ladies I see a group of suits congregated in one back room looking like they should be on the stage set for Casino. One huge guy comes up to me and extends his hand...I go to shake it and he holds me in a vice like grip and I imagine how easily he could snap my wrist.
We decide to leave, and head for the clubs. Many of them are full with ecuadorians dancing salsa...its Friday night. Finally we stumble on the Cafe Eucalyptus which is again playing salsa and Meringue. The bar is full of postgrad students and i ask one to dance after which I get dance after dance...we finally leave when they have all gone...back to my comfy bed. Its another early start for Peru.....
